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Spring Color

Arkansas Wildflowers Color Springtime in The Natural State

Flowering dogwoods

Spring has been a long time coming this year, or so it seems. But the flowering trees are starting to show off their coats of many colors and the wildflower landscape is beginning to bloom. Here are some reports from the Arkansas Welcome Centers and other members of the Arkansas tourism industry on the status of spring color. We will add more reports as we receive them, so check back often.

April 21:

Dogwoods and redbuds are in full bloom in the Fort Smith and Little Rock areas.

April 15:

Dogwoods and redbuds continue to bloom in central Arkansas and along Scenic 7 between Ola and Jessieville in the Ouachitas. A freeze warning has been issued so they may not last long.

Dogwoods are also blooming on the lower slopes of Mount Magazine in the Arkansas River Valley. The Pig Trail between I-40 and the Ozark Highlands Trail crossing, dogwoods are blossoming but still have a green tinge to them. Wildflowers Bird's Foot Violet are plentiful in the Flatside Wilderness Area and the lower slopes of Mount Magazine.

April 9:

The redbud, Bradford pear and crab apple trees are in bloom in the Bella Vista area of Northwest Arkansas. Also in bloom are the wild plum and service berry trees. Dogwoods are still in the budding stage.

Dogwoods and redbuds are beginning to blossom in the Little Rock area. Bright yellow forsythia is seen throughout town and tulips are starting to showcase their beautiful brilliant colors.

The annual Tulip Extravaganza is now going on at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs.

In the Fort Smith/Van Buren area, Bradford and wild pears and serviceberry are at their peak. Redbuds are beginning to flower with dogwoods expected to bloom in the new week.

March 31:

Harrison: Daffodils, Dead Nettle, Purple Hyacinths, Hen Bit, and Bradford Pears are being seen in bloom. No Dogwoods yet are beginning to bud out.

March 27:

Daffodils still in bloom at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs. The annual Tulip Extravaganza is April 1-30 with the expected peak about two-to-three weeks away.

March 26:

Van Buren/Fort Smith: Bradford and wild pear trees are nearing their peak, along with the service berry tree. Dogwoods and redbuds have yet to bloom.

March 25:

In Conway (Central Arkansas), daffodils, hyacinths (pink and purple), Bradford pear, cherry and plum trees are all in bloom. The dogwoods are budding, but they won't be blooming for a while yet.

Daffodils and forsythia are blooming in and around Mammoth Spring in north central Arkansas.

Fruit trees continue to bloom in central Arkansas.

Wye Mountain Daffodil Festival is this weekend, March 29-30.

As of March 19:

Siloam Springs (Northwest Arkansas): Bradford Pear Trees are beginning to bloom
Central Arkansas: Bradford Pear Trees are beginning to bloom
Texarkana (Southwest Arkansas): Bradford Pear Trees and dogwoods are beginning to bloom
Wye Mountain Daffodils: They are beginning to bloom but not at the peak yet. Updated are posed on the Wye Mountain Facebook page.

Garvan Woodland Gardens Daffodils: According to garden employees, it is now peak time for the showy yellow blooms. Read the latest update here.

Springtime brings a wildflower landscape to Arkansas, and wildflower routes, gardens and festivals throughout the state showcase the stunning wildflowers in March and April.

Spring in Arkansas bursts into a showy palette of color as the wide variety of Arkansas wildflowers native to The Natural State begin to bloom. The dogwoods, redbuds, and jonquils of March and April soon give way to a host of wildflowers, which provide a procession of blooms throughout the summer season. Jonquils and daffodils normally pop up their heads in mid-March while redbuds and dogwoods usually bloom early-to-mid April. Just like fall color, the peak is dependent on weather conditions.

Arkansas’s roadsides support numbers of wildflowers -- in fact, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) has designated several scenic wildflower drives across the state that feature interesting varieties.

Arkansas wildflowers

Since 1983, the AHTD has been involved with beautification efforts that include Arkansas wildflower plantings, wildflower routes, reforestation, landscaping, native plant preservation, billboard permitting and junkyard screening. Inspired by the national program of the same name, Operation Wildflower, Arkansas’s program has brought together the efforts of gardens clubs, church groups, schools, civic organizations, and state and federal agencies.

Where to find wildflower landscapes

Almost 1,000 miles of Arkansas highways have been designated and wildflower routes and the AHTD has also reduced mowing and limited the application of herbicides on the routes to encourage floral growth.

View a map of suggested Arkansas wildflower routes to see a map of suggested wildflower routes and photographs of some of the flowers found along these drives covering the landscape.

The U.S.D.A. Forest Service also has Arkansas wildflowers information on its website. Six areas -- both driving and hiking -- are highlighted.